Predicting the Future of The Oil and Gas Industry

As oil prices have begun to recover from the 2014 oil price crash, the future of the oil and gas industry has been a hotly debated topic in American media. On one hand, renewable energy and green energy continue to gain a foothold in the collective consciousness of Americans. On the other hand, oil and gas continue to be the cheapest, most efficient fuel available to mankind. Based on the contrast between the rise of green energy and the the cheap availability of crude oil in the United States, here are our predictions for the future of the oil and gas industry.

Experts Predict a Thriving Oil and Gas Industry in America

According to oil and gas experts, the oil and gas market is not as affected by the pricing volatility that affects so many other American industries. One reason for this is that there seems to be a growing demand for gas and oil on a worldwide basis.

Although green energy is being pushed in places like Europe, Canada, and the United States, there are so many places in the developing world that still have an absolutely rabid demand for oil.

For example, in India, there are currently only 4 cars per 100 people. As India’s economy continues to stabilize and grow, more people will purchase automobiles, which will increase the country’s need for gasoline.

There are many countries like India around the world, countries where individuals are starting to mobilize and want things like homes, cars, and electronics. American oil companies will undoubtedly export oil to countries like India in the coming years, which will allow the country’s oil industry to remain strong.

Untapped Oil Reserves Still Exist in America

According to CNN, the United States now has more untapped oil than any other country in the world. This might come as a surprise to some readers, who think of the Middle East as the hub of the global oil and gas industry. But America’s reliance on importing oil from other nations like Saudi Arabia has allowed the country’s oil reserves to build up over the past few decades.

But as of 2016, an independent energy firm predicted that America has a store of 264 billion barrels of oil—approximately half of this oil exists as shale oil. So, with that said, the future of gas and oil is full of possibilities. As the world continue to expand, a need for oil and gas will increase accordingly. Finding untapped or undiscovered stores of oil and gas will be key as we progress into the next decade.

Originally posted on BlakeZimmermanHouston.com.

How Technology is Changing the Natural Gas and Oil Industry

As technology continues to advance and develop, industries are learning to adapt and prosper. The oil and gas industry has used technology to change business and operations. As new devices and innovations continue to develop, the industry becomes more efficient and productive. Check out the latest tech trends in the oil and gas industry:

Intelligent Hydrate Platform

One product shaping the industry is a device that manages gas hydrates with real-time intelligence. The device can enable the digital transformation of the oilfield. Because gas hydrates are so imperative to the safety and environment of hydrocarbons in deep and cold offshore locations, it’s important to have such a device to manage it efficiently and effectively. This device is also very cost-effective.

Lift-Scan

It’s important on any oil and gas site to have productive on and offloading. A gaming-changing device set to revolutionize the industry is the lift-scan. The lift-scan is a crane with a crane block camera with the ability to perform deck scanning for more efficient loading. The product will also allow for hands-free communication for the first time and real-time visibility of the operator. Productivity will increase through the use of this device and offer better safety features for offshore sectors.

Polyurethane Foam Flex (PUFF)

When disaster strikes on gas and oil rigs, it can be deadly serious for workers and the environment. If there were to be an oil spill of any kind, PUFF is the most practical, quick, and effective method for adsorbing hydrocarbons. It has the ability to absorb up to about 30 times its weight different kinds of hydrocarbons, such as 10w40 oil, light, and heavy fuel oils. In about two minutes, the material saturates, can be wrung out, and recovers pure hydrocarbons without water. PUFF can also be reused over 100 times, allowing the recovery of about three tonnes of oils. Best of all, it is not harmful to marine or human health.

Humans and Machines

As technology continues to advance in the oil and gas industry, devices and humans are becoming co-workers. Technology isn’t being developed to replace workers, but instead, help to enhance their abilities to perform. In a more digital workplace, oil and gas companies are transforming into greater productive and fast-moving organizations. Technology will improve and revolutionize the industry.

The Oil Drilling Process

Oil drilling has become quite the hot topic in recent years. Many people have opinions on the process and use of the natural resource, but few understand how the process actually works.

Crude oil and natural gas are created when plankton die, fall to the sea floor, are trapped in sediment, and then undergo immense pressure and heat through millennia of accumulating debris. The oil and gas become trapped in porous rock (known as reservoir rock) surrounded by impervious rock (known as cap rock).

Geologists look for signs of these conditions in order to discover new reservoirs. They may look at satellite images and collect surface samples to start. When oil flows it creates slight disruptions in the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields, which sensitive magnetometers and gravity meters can pick up on. Petroleum also produces a distinct smell, which electronic noses can pick up on if they’re sensitive enough. Lastly seismologists create vibrations in the earth to locate potential sites.

Once a site is located, the oil company gets any permissions required, checks the environmental impact, clears the surrounding arlliea according to regulation guidelines, and gets started. A blowout preventer is used to close off the hole in an emergency.

Drilling is done in stages, with each stage using a progressively smaller drill. The first stage of drilling is usually done before the rig is set up, using a truck equipped for the purpose. As they drill, drill mud is pumped into the hole to expel the cut bits of rock from the hole, allowing the drill to continue unimpeded. The mud also serves to cool the drill and to keep the hole from caving in on itself. As the drill goes deeper, new segments of pipe are added back at the rig. When the desired depth is reached, the drill then pulls out and is replaced by casing. Cement is then pumped down the hole, expelling the mud and holding the casing in place.

Once the reservoir is reached and the well is deep enough, a perforating gun pokes holes in the casing and a tube is snaked through. A packer is used to seal the outside of the tubing and a Christmas tree (another device) is placed on top to control the well’s output. Special fluid containing acid or proppants is then used to dissolve the reservoir rock, allowing the trapped petroleum to flow. And with that, the job is done.

This article was originally posted on BlakeZimmermanHouston.com on June 12, 2019.